View Full Version : Time Warp: age old questions for an age old compy
razorblade416
04-12-2006, 22:07
Ok, I have a few questions reguearding a computer almost as old as i am. First off, my computer has a 400mhz processor, 128MB of RAM, 8MB video card, 40GB master drive, 8GB slave drive, a CD-ROM (not able to boot on it), a floppy dirve, and Windows 98. Everything mentioned here has been upgraded from the origional specs.
Now, i want to be able to dual boot a Linux on this computer with my Win98. However, i dont want to mess with my BIOS, because if i screw somthing up, the maker of them went out of bussiness so im screwed. :( . So, i want to dual boot from a floppy disk, but i have searched everywhere on the internet and havent been able to find a way to do it. Can somebody tell me where to find one??
Another question is, which Linux should i use? It would be for home use, and have lots of cool features (within the capibilites of my compy :wink: ) O, and i want everthing to be free.
Can anybody help me out :?: :?:
Ok, I have a few questions reguearding a computer almost as old as i am. First off, my computer has a 400mhz processor, 128MB of RAM, 8MB video card, 40GB master drive, 8GB slave drive, a CD-ROM (not able to boot on it), a floppy dirve, and Windows 98. Everything mentioned here has been upgraded from the origional specs.
Now, i want to be able to dual boot a Linux on this computer with my Win98. However, i dont want to mess with my BIOS, because if i screw somthing up, the maker of them went out of bussiness so im screwed. :( . So, i want to dual boot from a floppy disk, but i have searched everywhere on the internet and havent been able to find a way to do it. Can somebody tell me where to find one??
Another question is, which Linux should i use? It would be for home use, and have lots of cool features (within the capibilites of my compy :wink: ) O, and i want everthing to be free.
Can anybody help me out :?: :?:
Considering the specs of your computer, I'm suggesting for you not to dual boot.
If you really wanted to dual-boot, why not invest in a new computer?
Eventually triple-booting will be on its way.
PeanutButterMunky
04-13-2006, 01:25
You should save up and buy a new computer. There comes a time when you really need to upgrade. This...is one of those times.
razorblade416
04-13-2006, 02:55
My new computer is my PS3 8)
Well, I do have a new computer, but it's my dad's, so he wouldnt like me messing with it.
Do you guys really think my computer couldn't do it? Not even older versions? I heard Linux was really good for old computers, and my comp runs Win98 brilliantly. And why is dual booting hard on old computers? I mean, it's not like it has to run both at once. I thought it would be a good way to test Linux and bring a little life back to this old comp. :wink:
EDIT: what do you guys think about a Linux that ran entirely off a CD, like SuSE makes one. I have a 52X CD+/-RW, i think that's as fast as they make em. Would my specs still get in the way?
EDIT: what do you guys think about a Linux that ran entirely off a CD, like SuSE makes one. I have a 52X CD+/-RW, i think that's as fast as they make em. Would my specs still get in the way?
I think its called a "live cd"
In my opinion, just get a new computer please, just look at your pc specs.
razorblade416
04-13-2006, 03:28
All right, all right. I see that pretty much everyone on the planet says my compy cant handle it. This post pretty much went the same way as when i asked if i should put Windows XP on this compy on another forum a while back. :lol: O well, i cant get a new comp cuz all my money is goin for PS3, and i will be getting Linux on that anyways. I guess ill have to settle for a Linux wallpaper or something :lol: .
hoverbike
04-13-2006, 05:24
Razorblade416, you have almost the exact same computer specs as mine. Only difference is the CPU Core Clock Speed. Everything else is the same :shock: .
Tyrannicide
04-15-2006, 03:40
Your PC is more then capable of dual booting. (whoever said triple booting is on the way doesn't know PC's as you can multi boot windoes and different Linux Operating System's because the boot manager it uses while automatically detect other OS's and organize the boot manager.
I have a PII 266mhz, 160mb Ram, 8mb Video, 2x 40gb HDD, 24x12x24 CD Burner.
I ran XP for a while, dropped back to Win98 so I could record music and such without any chance of lag. At time of win98, I also ran Fedora Core 3 for a while.
Last I used was Win98/ SuSE Pro 9.(2or3)
SuSE ran MUCH better then Windows.
I'd suggest getting SuSE since it will come with almost every possible program you'll need.
It will be atleast 5 disks that you'd burn as images (the files are .ISO) which allow you to boot from them.
About the boot floppy, just check SuSE's website, it was bought by Novell FYI.
So you will have no troubles running Linux, don't listen to these morons about buying a new PC. Not everyone can afford to, like me. Plus Linux doesn't require a top of the line pc because it doesn't suck up a shit load of resources that do nothing. You can do it fine, your PC is better then mine and I had no problems. Linux is very easy to install and setup.
PM me or post here for help man, I have no problem. I also have a website a few websites you check out which are extremely useful if you want.
Linux doesn't require nearly as much as MS Windows and has a few viruses ever coded for it(will not be infected, period). It is very stable to, but will take some time getting used to how it works.
ENJOY!
razorblade416
04-15-2006, 22:30
Your PC is more then capable of dual booting. (whoever said triple booting is on the way doesn't know PC's as you can multi boot windoes and different Linux Operating System's because the boot manager it uses while automatically detect other OS's and organize the boot manager.
I have a PII 266mhz, 160mb Ram, 8mb Video, 2x 40gb HDD, 24x12x24 CD Burner.
I ran XP for a while, dropped back to Win98 so I could record music and such without any chance of lag. At time of win98, I also ran Fedora Core 3 for a while.
Last I used was Win98/ SuSE Pro 9.(2or3)
SuSE ran MUCH better then Windows.
I'd suggest getting SuSE since it will come with almost every possible program you'll need.
It will be atleast 5 disks that you'd burn as images (the files are .ISO) which allow you to boot from them.
About the boot floppy, just check SuSE's website, it was bought by Novell FYI.
So you will have no troubles running Linux, don't listen to these morons about buying a new PC. Not everyone can afford to, like me. Plus Linux doesn't require a top of the line pc because it doesn't suck up a *expletive deleted* load of resources that do nothing. You can do it fine, your PC is better then mine and I had no problems. Linux is very easy to install and setup.
PM me or post here for help man, I have no problem. I also have a website a few websites you check out which are extremely useful if you want.
Linux doesn't require nearly as much as MS Windows and has a few viruses ever coded for it(will not be infected, period). It is very stable to, but will take some time getting used to how it works.
ENJOY!
THANK YOU!! No offense to everbody else but i think Tyrannicide is the only one who actually tried to answer my question instead of just saying "man, you need a new computer". I knew it must have been possibile. I think ill take up your recommendation on SuSE. Thanks again for the help! So is the boot manager included with SuSE?
PS: You got XP running on a 266mhz?? :shock: That's great. I dunno if this comp is up to that challenge though. (It was origionally a 133mhz, does that effect it's speed at all after i upgraded?)
Tyrannicide
04-16-2006, 03:16
An upgraded shouldn't effect it, but WinXp ran a bit sluggish at times, but wasn't horrible. It depends on how much you tweak it too though.
SuSE, and all other Linux OS's, come with two boot managers for the most part. They are Lilo and another one which I can't remember and this is the one you want to use. It is easier to setup then Lilo. SuSE will auto detect Win98 and redo the whole boot manager so you can select both. It also gives you the option of selecting which one will auto boot after a certain amount of time if you don't select one.
It also includes a complete graphical installation screen and has a help abr always open on the left side of the screen. It is extremely simple. The only hard thing is setting up the partitions.
I don't feel like typing out Partition help atm, late and UFC 59 is on...
razorblade416
04-16-2006, 04:06
No problem man, i know all about partitioning. All i can say is: 40GB+8GB BIOS limit= 5 8GB partitions :lol:
That wont even come into effect on this installation though because i have a whole new 8GB harddrive to put it on that i found in the closet (still works!)
That's for all the help man!
Your PC is more then capable of dual booting. (whoever said triple booting is on the way doesn't know PC's as you can multi boot windoes and different Linux Operating System's because the boot manager it uses while automatically detect other OS's and organize the boot manager.
I have a PII 266mhz, 160mb Ram, 8mb Video, 2x 40gb HDD, 24x12x24 CD Burner.
I ran XP for a while, dropped back to Win98 so I could record music and such without any chance of lag. At time of win98, I also ran Fedora Core 3 for a while.
Last I used was Win98/ SuSE Pro 9.(2or3)
SuSE ran MUCH better then Windows.
I'd suggest getting SuSE since it will come with almost every possible program you'll need.
It will be atleast 5 disks that you'd burn as images (the files are .ISO) which allow you to boot from them.
About the boot floppy, just check SuSE's website, it was bought by Novell FYI.
So you will have no troubles running Linux, don't listen to these morons about buying a new PC. Not everyone can afford to, like me. Plus Linux doesn't require a top of the line pc because it doesn't suck up a *expletive deleted* load of resources that do nothing. You can do it fine, your PC is better then mine and I had no problems. Linux is very easy to install and setup.
PM me or post here for help man, I have no problem. I also have a website a few websites you check out which are extremely useful if you want.
Linux doesn't require nearly as much as MS Windows and has a few viruses ever coded for it(will not be infected, period). It is very stable to, but will take some time getting used to how it works.
ENJOY!
I was referring to just mac osx/windows/ and linux
razorblade416
04-17-2006, 22:01
All right everbody. I am currently typing this post on DUN DUN DUN
WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL!!!!
That's right, i proved you all wrong, it runs great. This compy isnt dead yet. I will start dual booting my Linux after I reinstall XP on my dad's computer (it's running slow even compared to this compter!! :lol:
Of course Linux will work on that computer. You can run it purely textbased if you want without a GUI but you shouldn't have to with those specs. :)
I would recommend either SUSE or Ubuntu.
I personally prefer Ubuntu though and I run it from a Live cd. You don't have to configure basically anything besides what language you are using and resolution. It supports a lot of network cards and graphics cards too. It has an IM client, IRC client, Office package, small games, Firefox for websurfing and so on.
http://www.ubuntu.com/
highazz_vegeta
07-27-2009, 19:24
UK release added